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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

I have a slight camping quandary........

38 replies

DannyShouldHaveChosenRizzo · 06/07/2014 09:30

All booked up for our annual camping holiday but have split from my DH since booking.
It has just dawned on me that I cant put our massive canvas tent up on my own. I have never driven the car with the trailer either.
I'm going to have to cancel aren't i???
The DC are really too young to help pitch the tent.
Any suggestions on how I can still go?

OP posts:

sooperdooper · 06/07/2014 09:34

Of course you don't have to cancel! Does the tent need two people to put it up? If it's impossible alone then buy a new easier one, I can put ours up alone and it's massive, but not canvass

Driving with a trailer will be fine as long as your car is suitable, just take your time, everyone has to do new things the first time sometime, good luck!

Original poster

DannyShouldHaveChosenRizzo · 06/07/2014 09:37

Yes the tent needs two to put it up its a sunncamp palace.
Feeling very defeated at the moment.

OP posts:

Memphisbelly · 06/07/2014 09:38

Still go, is there enough space to put tent up in your garden to have a practice run?
IMO someone would come and offer you help to put it up if they saw you alone. With regards to the trailer you will be fine but would suggest also hitching that up and having a spin with it on, the hardest part will be first few miles I imagine

oddsocksmostly · 06/07/2014 11:15

Do you have friends or family members who could come? may be better for them to have their own tent, but would be able to be extra pair of hands.

FrozenAteMyDaughter · 06/07/2014 11:36

Could you buy a cheaper smaller tent and cull the stuff you take so you could ditch the trailer this time? Just make things easier for yourself? I think there are quite a few deals on tents around at the moment. Decathlon pop ups are also a good bet although maybe a bit pricier than you need given you already have a tent.

Then you could still have your holiday but without adding extra stress the first time you do it by yourself.

Hotbot · 06/07/2014 12:05

Sell the sunncamp at a reasonable price, use the money to buy a smaller tent and a gazebo. We have a small tent and a big tent. We use the small tent for weekends it fab, much simpler and cosy and very warm.
Don't give up!!!

RoganJosh · 06/07/2014 12:07

Can you borrow a smaller, easier to put up tent?

CharmQuark · 06/07/2014 15:33

Just buy a modest sized tunnel tent, which are easy to put up on your own. This board has lots of threads about tents one person can put up.

Have a look at the Icarus 500, for starters!

There are some good bargains about atm.

How young are the kids? 5 is easily old enough to hold things in place, for example. MY DC helped from 4 or 5 onwards.

Don't give up - you will feel GREAT to know you can do this independently - camping gives you such freedom and it sounds as if you could do with the holiday.

And yes, sell the camper.

Ineedmorepatience · 06/07/2014 15:39

I agree with others, dont cancel if you can possibly manage it.

I have camped with just my kids lots of times and although they are older and can help I have had to resort to asking neighbours in windy conditions.

People on campsites help each other and even if you had to take your big tent I bet you would find some friendly people who would help.

You could even ring the campsite owner and tell them you are going to be on your own and ask if anyone could help, you never know.

What are the ages of your children?
The quechua family xl is a great tent which I can do on my own all except the rear porch pole which someone helps me with
It has 2 bedrooms opposite each other so may not be ideal for very young ones.

Good luck

headlesslambrini · 06/07/2014 15:44

Ring the campsite and ask if someone could give you a hand with the tent. Im sure they will. I tow our caravan, going forward and round corners is easy, backing up is a little trickier. A college in the NW does a day course on manovering whilst towing - might be something similar close to you.

Slubberdegullion · 06/07/2014 16:24

Where are you going? Is thee a mn camper who can come and help you put it up?

Thumbcat · 06/07/2014 16:39

Definitely sell the canvas tent and buy a tunnel tent. With a smaller tent and just you and the children in the car you probably won't need the trailer.

Personally I'd buy myself a lovely icey-tek and stash it in the space that the husband used to take up.

You'll be fine. Enjoy your holiday.

BeeBlanket · 06/07/2014 17:35

Longer term, a different tent will help but when I've been camping without DP I have always had other campers offer to help. (Maybe struggling incompetently for a while does the trick! :)) Most campsite owners would also help if asked I'm sure.

stargirl1701 · 06/07/2014 17:39

When did you pass your driving test? If pre-97, you have the towing section on your licence automatically. If after 97, you need to get it added.

NorbertDentressangle · 06/07/2014 17:43

I agree that you should sell the big canvas tent and get something smaller.

As well as being easier to put up it will take up less space in the car - maybe you won't have to use the trailer which would take away that worry too?

I've been camping on my own with 2 DC (admittedly older so could help with tent if necessary but TBH the only help I needed was for someone, even a very small child, to hold a pole upright) - with a Vango 6 berth tent so loads of room.

We also managed to squeeze everything in the medium-sized car with some creative packing!

Original poster

DannyShouldHaveChosenRizzo · 06/07/2014 17:51

Wow, thank you all so much for your encouragement.

I have 4 DC 3, 6, 9, 9 so they can hold things etc.That is a fantastic idea about ringing the site, I will call them tomorrow.
I am going to have a go with the trailer while DCs are at school/nursery tomorrow.
I don't really have the budget to buy a new tent but will look and see what I would have to spend to get a easier tent to pitch.
I am actually smiling now, all is not lost is it?

OP posts:

Ineedmorepatience · 06/07/2014 17:56

If you can get help for this year maybe you should keep the big tent, your biggest children will soon be able to help loads and you would benefit from the extra space.

I hope the campsite owners are helpful

If not put a call out on here and someone might be close enough to help you.

Good luck and have an amazing holiday

Smo2 · 06/07/2014 17:57

No it's not lost at all! I'm a single mum and I've trawled the two over to Italy and driven round the Rome ring road on my own, and recently camped for the first time.....but I must admit I cheated then and took boyfriend...but if I was going on my own, and I reckon I'd have a go, I would ring and ask for some help. Campers are so friendly I've found anyway, I'm sure that you'll be ok...and think how brilliant you'll feel when you've done it xxxx

ClashCityRocker · 06/07/2014 17:58

Ah, two nine year olds will be fine with helping, I would've thought!

Have a practice run so you can foresee any problems.

NorbertDentressangle · 06/07/2014 18:48

Yes with 2 9 year olds you'll be fine -they're heavy enough to stand and hold part of a tent upright without being blown away.

You can always get the younger two to hold on to a 9 year old each just to make sure .

Have fun!

You'll feel really strong, positive and empowered when you've done it!

Theas18 · 06/07/2014 18:54

You'll be fine. don't let the ex bugger up the holiday!

Make sure you go to a family friendly site or a camping and caravanning club site. If you slightly like you can't cope you'll be surrounded by helpers before you can say "eek it's blowing away"! Campers are a friendly bunch. I arrived with our "quirky" folding camper as the advance party with one of the kids- may have been 10 but not much more- and they all started off by watching but the moment the wind got under the roof we had people hanging on the corners and someones wife putting the kettle on!

Dayshiftdoris · 06/07/2014 18:58

Please note Stargirl's post

If your driving licence is post 2007 then you can drive nothing heavier than 3.5 tonne... If towing this is the combined weight of car and trailer...

For example my friend can not drive her estate car when they have the trailer tent on the back .

You need to pass a further test (?C class) and it costs about £250.

It's the bane of my bloody life and is the only thing that stops me camping... I am looking into campers under 3.5 tonne
If you are good to go with licence you'll be absolutely fine alone on a campsite

BorisJohnsonsHair · 06/07/2014 19:07

Probably a stupid question, but can you fit all your gear into the car now that you don't have your DH in it? Then you wouldn't need your trailer.

Original poster

DannyShouldHaveChosenRizzo · 06/07/2014 20:08

I passed my driving test in 1993, I think I can pull a trailer?
I will audit the camping equipment this week and see what I will be taking/what can be left at home and hopefully I can do away with the trailer.
This morning I was so down thinking I wouldn't be able to take the kids on holiday and now I am fired up at the thought I Can!!

OP posts:

Ineedmorepatience · 06/07/2014 20:27

Yes you absolutely CAN Danny!!

You are going to feel so good when you have done this for your kids and yourself

Just dont feel ashamed to ask for help, as we have all said. Campers are mostly lovely and will help if you need it

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